Born: 23 August 1875

Born in: Linlithgow Bridge

Died: 17 October 1899

Other clubs: Vale of Avon, Linlithgow Athletic, Broxburn Shamrock (1891-93), Bo'ness (1893-94), Leith Athletic (1894-95), Celtic (1897-98)

Signed from: Leith Athletic / Celtic

Joined Liverpool: 12.06.1895 / 20.04.1898

Debut: 14 Sep 1895

Final appearance: 29 Apr 1899

Debut goal: 21 Sep 1895

Last goal: 22 Apr 1899

Contract until: 01.05.1897

Honours: Second Division 1895/96

League: Apps / Goals: 79 / 48

All Competitions: Apps / Goals: 96 / 56

Player Profile

"Dod" Allan, who was described as "a model centre; of fine physique, great speed and no fear," was Liverpool's first great goalscorer in the Football League and the first Liverpool player to be capped for Scotland on 3 April 1897. Allan's transfer to Liverpool was made under controversial circumstances as he had signed a contract with St Bernard's in Edinburgh as well. He was reported to the Scottish Football Association and on 14 October 1895 he was suspended till 30 November after which he was considered a bona fide Liverpool player. 5 ft. 10 ins. and 13 st. 6 lbs. (173 cm. and 86 kg.) Allan burst onto the scene in the 1895/96 season with a staggering 25 goals from only 20 league matches as the club won the Second Division and would have no doubt netted more if not for his eight-game suspension. He was Liverpool's top-scorer the following season with 17 goals from 34 games as Liverpool finished fifth in the First Division. 

Allan moved to Celtic in May 1897 where he helped the club to its fourth championship by scoring 15 goals in 17 league games. Liverpool still held his registration, but paid quite happily £50 to get him back before the 1898/99 season in which Liverpool finished second in First Division with Allan scoring 11 goals in 36 games. Allan had played seven games in his second spell at Liverpool when he was involved in a colorful incident with Sheffield United’s goalkeeper, William "Fatty" Foulke, which gained legendary status. Foulke was over 20 st. (125 kg.) and very difficult to say the least to charge him off the ball or into the goal as was allowed to do to goalkeepers in those days. 'I don't mind what they call me as long as they don't call me late for my lunch', he once said. Foulke once took to swinging on the crossbar in mid-game which resulted in him breaking it in two and on another occasion charged around butt-naked after a match searching for the referee to protest a controversial equaliser. The scene is set for 29 October 1898 when Liverpool and then League champions Sheffield United were playing at Anfield. Unlike his contemporaries Allan was not afraid of "Fatty" and it was reported that "Allan charged Foulke in the goalmouth, and the big man, losing his temper, seized him by the leg and turned him upside down." The referee wasn't too keen on Foulke's reaction and awarded Liverpool a penalty, from which Andy McCowie scored. Liverpool won the game 2-1, with none other than Allan scoring the other goal for Liverpool.

Prior to the 1899/00 season it was reported that Allan was too ill for training and he remained in Scotland. In September 1899 manager Tom Watson admitted full of sorrow: “Diseased lungs are not cured in a day. Allan’s absence is now beginning to be felt, and we are able to estimate him at his worth. Poor old George!” It had become apparent that Allan could not play top class football again, but his death from tubercolosis on 17 October 1899 at his mother's home in Fife was still unexpected and described as a 'thunderclap' for Liverpool fans."